The Winnipeg Jets recalled goaltender Arvid Holm from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose on an emergency basis, the team said today. With David Rittich absent from practice for undisclosed reasons this morning, per Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun, Holm could serve as the backup to Connor Hellebuyck for tonight’s Game 4.
Holm, 24, has been the third netminder on Winnipeg’s depth chart this season, but a lack of injuries to the Winnipeg crease kept him out of action during the regular season. Holm finished his AHL regular-season campaign with a 2.67 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, and an 18-11-4 record in 35 games.
It was a solid development step this season for the 6-foot-5 netminder, who Winnipeg selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was expected to serve as the starter when Manitoba began their AHL playoff run next Friday, but pending the result of the Jets’ series and Rittich’s availability, he could remain with the NHL club past that date.
Holm’s recall gives Winnipeg four goalies on their active roster, although the younger Oskari Salminen is there to serve as a Black Ace. If Hellebuyck or Holm also becomes unavailable, however, Salminen would then be the team’s backup netminder.
Already down 2-1 in the series, the Jets hope they won’t have to utilize Holm or Salminen to try and keep their season alive.